UMISSION

Do what you like to do.  If this is something you like, you’ll be good at it.  If there is anything going on, I am here to help out.  I believe I am providing a service.

1.  What led you to the mission of being a security officer?

It was a question of supply and demand.  There was a big need for security officers.  I went to school and private security was offered.  I’ve always been a people person, so I thought it was a good fit.  It was six-month program that went through report writing, self-defense, and emergency procedures.  I graduated after the six-month period.

I have done receptionist type security work – working at the front desk.  I’ve worked for a university and did bike patrol.  I also did training.  When someone came in I taught them how to work at every post.  So, if someone came in, they could switch from place to place and still do a good job.

2.  What does this mission mean to you?

I give the people I’m working for a sense of security.  They know that I am here.  If there is anything going on, I am here to help out.  I can — not only keep them safe — but the property as well.  I believe that I am providing a service.

When I tell somebody about being an officer, I tell them, “Do what you like to do.  If this is something you like, you’ll be good at it.  If you put forth that effort, it will be easy to do and you will enjoy doing it.”  It is not a hard job.  You have to be at work – but you have to be at work at anything you have to do.  You have to be assertive.  You have to be a people person.  You have to communicate well with people.  If you can do that, this could be a stepping-stone.  There are security spots that pay pretty good and are really rewarding.

3.  What was your best day as a security officer?

One time there was a fire in a dorm.  We went through to make sure everyone was out and safe.  That was exciting because the fire department, my boss, and others at the scene patted me on the back and told me how much they appreciated me and how I had handled the situation.  They saw how I didn’t panic and I stayed on top of everything.

Another time some people were caught in the elevator.  I had to get them out.  I was able to get the fire department and get everyone else in and out.  We were able to get the students off the elevator safely.  Again, I had a lot of pats on the back and I was told how much they appreciated my work.  They were glad I was here.

When a job is is like that, it is better than any type of money that you can get.  As long as you do a good job and you do your best, it all works out.  So I have many best days.

4.  What was your worst day as a security officer?

My worst day as a security officer was when there was sensitivity training for the people in a building.  They had people come in and teach what to do.  But I wasn’t included.  I asked, “How could you have a meeting like that, but not include security?”  You know that if something did go down, security would be the first to clear it up.  That to me just wasn’t right.  This was basic training but we were not included.  It made me feel, “Is this what you really think of me?”  But it was about my mental mind.  I still knew that I had a job that I had to do.  How I looked at it was that I still needed to do what I needed to do and that I could always do something better.

5.  How did you survive your worst day?

I focus on the good job itself.  I want to be able to live a better life.  There are things I want to do and places I want to go.  I know that we are going to have bad days, ups and downs.  I tell myself to stay focused and just keep pushing.   You are going to run into roadblocks.  You are going to run into setbacks.  You have to keep pushing.  That is the only way you are going to get where you want to go.

You also have to have faith in God.  If no one else knows your struggle or road, He does.  You can’t go wrong with Him.